Canada’s universities support copyright modernization for digital learning

Ottawa, July 30, 2009 — Canada’s universities need clearer laws about how copyright applies to digital materials so students and professors can use online resources for research and teaching.

“Copyright law should be amended to clarify that works available publicly on the Internet can be used for educational purposes without infringing copyright – or breaking the law,” says Steve Wills, manager of legal affairs at AUCC. Mr. Wills made the case for Canada’s universities at a federal roundtable on copyright reform last night in Ottawa.

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada wants to make sure that any new amendments to copyright law allow students to view lectures live through the internet or record them to view later.

Two previous bills have been drafted to modernize Canadian copyright law to deal with the new digital environment in libraries and classrooms, but neither has been passed. A new copyright reform act could be introduced in this fall’s legislative session.

• Read our complete statement on copyright reform
• Read our background document on copyright reform

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For more information, please contact:

Steve Wills
Manager, Legal Affairs
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Tel.: 613 563 3961, x 234
E-mail: swills@aucc.ca